The Psionic Gaschamber [Archive] - Wizards Community

The Psionic Gaschamber [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
hovnarr
11-28-07, 04:16 PM I was fiddling with appropriate offensive strategies in a PvP match and I came up with the following three-tier soft lock:

*Wall of Ectoplasm
*Burrowing Energy Wall (Sonic)
*Burrowing Ectoplasmic Shambler (Overchanneled)

To begin with, this strategy is designed for ECL 10 use, and in this level range certain teleportation effects (typically dimension door) thwart it if effected immediately. Having a burrowing movement mode may work too (depends on terrain).

So you start with encasing the target in a wall of ectoplasm, trapping him in a hemisphere without save. If he doesn't have teleportation, he'll probably start hacking away at the walls.

Next round, you manifest an inwardly focused, circular, sonic energy wall, directly inside the ectoplasmic hemisphere. This means that any object (such as a sword or axe) striking the ectoplasmic surface must first pass through the sonic energy wall. Most items will be dust after 1-2 strikes.

Finally, once the target is trapped, just add damage. Non-typed, [no, no] damage to boot. At level 10 you need overchannel to get the requisite 11 PP, but who cares about 1d8 damage when your enemy is microwave pizza anyway? Have the Shambler fill up the hemisphere and watch your opponent die. The lack of vision and enforced concentration checks makes coming up with answers more difficult at this stage.

As this is a defensive and offensive strategy in one, it's fairly cheap too, costing 7+7+11=25 pp. Less than 25% of your typical total for that level. If it doesn't work, you can always use some other strategy instead. All 3 of these are useful in their own right, so it's not like the opportunity cost is heavy.

What I like most about it is that the strategy doesn't care about saves. It simply asks the question: Can you escape a solid chamber or not? If not, then die.
TheKeyofE
11-28-07, 05:49 PM Schrodinger's cat?
PhaedrusXY
11-28-07, 05:56 PM It's the psionic version of the Forcecage/Cloudkill deathtrap, but its available earlier. However, the hit points, hardness, and break DC are pretty wimpy for the Wall of Ectoplasm (one of the reasons I probably won't choose it with my psion...). Many foes could probably break through it immediately, before you even get to manifest the Sonic Energy Wall. And finally, the top of the dome is going to be unprotected by the Energy Wall, since it is a ring.

Arcane has earlier versions than Forcecage + Cloudkill, like Solid Fog + Evard's Black Tentacles, but they have their weaknesses too.
hovnarr
11-28-07, 06:07 PM Good. I don't want it to be too powerful or using it in PvP wouldn't be any fun. This seems just about right for the pp investment.
RadicalTaoist
11-29-07, 09:23 PM EBT+Stinking Cloud+Sleet Storm is the best reason there is to play a Warmage. Takes a while to set up, but ooohhhhh man.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
hovnarr 11-28-07, 04:16 PM	I was fiddling with appropriate offensive strategies in a PvP match and I came up with the following three-tier soft lock: Wall of Ectoplasm Burrowing Energy Wall (Sonic) *Burrowing Ectoplasmic Shambler (Overchanneled) To begin with, this strategy is designed for ECL 10 use, and in this level range certain teleportation effects (typically dimension door) thwart it if effected immediately. Having a burrowing movement mode may work too (depends on terrain). So you start with encasing the target in a wall of ectoplasm, trapping him in a hemisphere without save. If he doesn't have teleportation, he'll probably start hacking away at the walls. Next round, you manifest an inwardly focused, circular, sonic energy wall, directly inside the ectoplasmic hemisphere. This means that any object (such as a sword or axe) striking the ectoplasmic surface must first pass through the sonic energy wall. Most items will be dust after 1-2 strikes. Finally, once the target is trapped, just add damage. Non-typed, [no, no] damage to boot. At level 10 you need overchannel to get the requisite 11 PP, but who cares about 1d8 damage when your enemy is microwave pizza anyway? Have the Shambler fill up the hemisphere and watch your opponent die. The lack of vision and enforced concentration checks makes coming up with answers more difficult at this stage. As this is a defensive and offensive strategy in one, it's fairly cheap too, costing 7+7+11=25 pp. Less than 25% of your typical total for that level. If it doesn't work, you can always use some other strategy instead. All 3 of these are useful in their own right, so it's not like the opportunity cost is heavy. What I like most about it is that the strategy doesn't care about saves. It simply asks the question: Can you escape a solid chamber or not? If not, then die.
TheKeyofE 11-28-07, 05:49 PM	Schrodinger's cat?
PhaedrusXY 11-28-07, 05:56 PM	It's the psionic version of the Forcecage/Cloudkill deathtrap, but its available earlier. However, the hit points, hardness, and break DC are pretty wimpy for the Wall of Ectoplasm (one of the reasons I probably won't choose it with my psion...). Many foes could probably break through it immediately, before you even get to manifest the Sonic Energy Wall. And finally, the top of the dome is going to be unprotected by the Energy Wall, since it is a ring. Arcane has earlier versions than Forcecage + Cloudkill, like Solid Fog + Evard's Black Tentacles, but they have their weaknesses too.
hovnarr 11-28-07, 06:07 PM	Good. I don't want it to be too powerful or using it in PvP wouldn't be any fun. This seems just about right for the pp investment.
RadicalTaoist 11-29-07, 09:23 PM	EBT+Stinking Cloud+Sleet Storm is the best reason there is to play a Warmage. Takes a while to set up, but ooohhhhh man.